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genie
Master of Prissface
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 Posted: 10/21/04 - 11:05 Post subject: Presidential flu shots?
Pug's statement in the flu shots thread made me wonder what everyone else thinks about this. Dubya says he's not going to get one, as part of his urging of healthy people to pass this year to ensure the supply is available for those who really need it. I know Cheney did get one because of his heart issues making him high risk.
Pug made an interesting point, what do you all think?
| in the flu shots thread wrote: |
In one of the debates (The third one, i believe) the President told America that the people who are not a high risk group should not get a shot. Fine. Then he said that he wasn't getting a shot. Are you out of your damn mind? You're the freaking leader of this country! I get that you're trying to lead by example but I don't want the President to not be able to properly do his job during a crisis because he has the flu because he didn't get a stupid flu shot. |
I'm not picking on you Pug, I just never even thought about it this way and am wondering what everyone else thinks....about the OFFICE in general, not who is in it at the moment. This isn't about whether you like Bush or not.
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Gogirlgo
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Posted: 10/21/04 - 11:10 Post subject:
What did we do before the drug companies (no offense Genie) made us think we'd all go insane without a flu shot?
It's not 1918, if each and every one of us got the flu and were at home for 5 days, how much worse off do you think this country would be?
I hope the President washes his hands like the rest of us. If he gets sick, he gets sick. He is human.
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genie
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Posted: 10/21/04 - 11:13 Post subject:
| Gogirlgo wrote: | What did we do before the drug companies (no offense Genie) made us think we'd all go insane without a flu shot?
It's not 1918, if each and every one of us got the flu and were at home for 5 days, how much worse off do you think this country would be?
I hope the President washes his hands like the rest of us. If he gets sick, he gets sick. He is human. |
hehehe...no offense taken. I'm out of here as soon as I can get out, trust me. 
This is a REALLY good point though, do you think it's all mass hysteria or worse, hype to make the drug companies more money, or are the flu strains really more serious nowadays than they were back then? I've often wondered this.....viruses do have the ability to mutate and thus can easily make themselves immune to pharmacotherapy, that much I know, but are the deaths from flu strains proportionally more prevalent today? And what did people with depressed immune systems and heart problems and asthma do back then? Did they just all die?
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 10/21/04 - 11:15 Post subject:
I don't think he needs one if he's otherwise healthy, and I think he was setting a good example. As I said in the flu shot thread
| cherylpf wrote: | Its not guarantee to never be sick that they are giving out, its just another CHANCE at not getting influenza. Perspective people. Resting at home away from those other germy people and not standing in that cold line is probably an even better chance of not getting it.  |
However, some of our senators and representatives agree with Pug I guess and went ahead and got one.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/2858676
| Quote: |
At least nine Texas lawmakers, including Sen. John Cornyn and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, got quick and free flu shots from the Capitol's attending physician days after the government announced a vaccine shortage, aides confirmed Wednesday. Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Beaumont, also was among those who got shots even though they didn't meet vaccine candidate criteria suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
I don't see why they get priority over someone with a weakened immune system.
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elkid
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Posted: 10/21/04 - 11:15 Post subject:
If the president is so high risk medically that s/he requires a flu shot, not so sure I'd want him/her in office.
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purple hayes
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Posted: 10/21/04 - 11:31 Post subject:
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cherylpf
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Posted: 10/21/04 - 11:34 Post subject:
I wouldn't attribute that exclusively to the flu vaccination though.
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elkid
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Posted: 10/21/04 - 11:36 Post subject:
True. Bring back diptheria and hospital-free childbirth. Interesting link. Really shows the bell curve on sedentary lifestyles and horrible eating habits.
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Gogirlgo
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Posted: 10/21/04 - 11:40 Post subject:
| purple hayes wrote: |
People died a lot younger, that's for sure. |
Well, the hype has only been on for the last 8 to 10 years, so I don't think so.
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Pug
The Movie Geek
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Posted: 10/21/04 - 12:09 Post subject:
I don't even think it is hysteria or that drug companies are trying to push medicines on us so that they can make money. What we're talking about is the leader of the country. He may be in excellent health in general and right now, but he has a highly stressful and very important job. I may be wrong, and if so, please correct me, but isn't a person under intense stress more likely to get sick because of a weakened immune system?
If the President gets ill this week and nothing is going terribly wrong with the world and there are no grave theats to our country, fine. He gets sick, he's out for a couple of days so he can get healthy and be able to think clearly. Fine. But if he gets sick with a nasty case of the flu, something that can partially be prevented...and he willfully decided to not get a vaccine... I just feel that is reckless and irresponsible. Sure, it's only the flu, but what if we are the midst of an attack and the President is bedridden, unable to think clearly about what sort of a response to make and it is a decision that only the president can make? It's reckless.
I'm less concerned about an individual senator. They work in committees. But the buck stops at the presidency.
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Gogirlgo
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Posted: 10/21/04 - 12:11 Post subject:
| Pug wrote: | | what if we are the midst of an attack and the President is ...unable to think clearly about what sort of a response to make |
There are those who would argue we've already lived through this.
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purple hayes
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Posted: 10/21/04 - 12:12 Post subject:
| Gogirlgo wrote: | | There are those who would argue we've already lived through this. |
Which President? What illness?
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elkid
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Posted: 10/21/04 - 12:13 Post subject:
| Gogirlgo wrote: | | There are those who would argue we've already lived through this. |
I would.
People, it's the FLU. Let's put it in perspective. It's not like it's the president has a major heart condition necessitating a defibrillator. That's what the vice presidency is for.
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Pug
The Movie Geek
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Posted: 10/21/04 - 12:13 Post subject:
| Gogirlgo wrote: |
There are those who would argue we've already lived through this. |
Granted, but that is a different point/issue. We're talking theory here. It could be Bush, Kerry, McCain, Clinton (either), or Chris Rock as president in this discussion. I'm concerned about the President not taking preventative care of himself.
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Gogirlgo
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Posted: 10/21/04 - 12:14 Post subject:
| purple hayes wrote: |
Which President? What illness? |
Dude, you can't be that obtuse.
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